ICT related aspects of the 2014 #Trinidad and #Tobago Budget – Social Sector Investment Programme 2014

cover-of-2014-budget-social-sector-investment-programme

The Minister of Finance and the Economy, Honourable Senator Larry Howai presented the 2014 Budget Statement in the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament on September 9 2013.

The 2014 Budget Statement and related documents can be downloaded at http://www.finance.gov.tt/mediaroom.php?mid=232

Over several blog posts, I’ll provide the ICT related aspects of the various 2014 budget documents. This post will focus on the ICT related aspects of the “Social Sector Investment Programme 2014

Contents

ICT related aspects of the “Social Sector Investment Programme 2014”

Pages 63-64, under “Education”

C. Integrating ICTs in Education – Laptop Initiative

“In fiscal year 2012/2013, 17,362 laptops were distributed to Form 1 students in 152 secondary schools, under the eCAL-Laptop Initiative. All laptops were imaged with a total of 29 software packages. A total of 476 laptops were also granted to primary school principals. Overall, from fiscal 2010 – 2013, 54,329 laptops have been distributed under this programme.

Additional achievements in ICTs include:

  • Conducted training for 7,734 teachers in a series of courses aimed at equipping staff with the necessary skills to infuse ICTs into their Teaching and Learning Strategies/
    Activities;
  • Collaborated with Microsoft Inc. to host three eCAL ICT in Education Innovative Award competitions in recognition of the efforts of teachers in infusing ICT into the curricula of both primary and secondary schools;
  • 35 Curriculum Officers, utilised the Distance Education modality to support the integration of ICTs in curriculum delivery;
  • Developed ICT integrated instructional packages for Forms 1-3 for seven subject
    areas;
  • Continued to successfully operate 26 National Open School of Trinidad and Tobago
    (NOSTT) Centres, with enrolments totaling approximately 5,000 persons;
  • Completed the registration of over 13,000 Form 1 students as part of the eCAL
    programme, by the National Library and Information System (NALIS). This will ensure that students have access to e-resources on NALIS’ website
  • Prepared a Draft ICT in Education Policy;
  • Completed the procurement of Audio Visual equipment including 55” Smart Televisions, Interactive multi-media projectors and Radios for all primary schools. Distribution is due to start on September 25, 2013
  • Signed MoU with Intel Corporation for the engagement of their services to assist with the development of:
    • A Comprehensive ICT in education plan;
    • An implementation roadmap to achieve the strategic objectives for ICT in education;
    • A comprehensive teachers’ training programme; and
    • An ICT in education evaluation model;
  • Completed the procurement of IT online (an eLearning resource for the teaching
    and learning of Information Technology in preparation for the CSEC examination).
    Deployment will commence in September 2013 and will be provided to all 152 Secondary schools;
  • Initiated the development and implementation of eduCATE (edu Children,
    Administrators and Teachers in Excellence Portal). Design and development work has been completed. Implementation is 80% completed. Identification of curricula for online implementation has been initiated;
  • Initiated the procurement and tendering process for the Schools’ Connectivity
    Program. This program comprises:

    • Broadband access for all schools;
    • Pervasive WiFi access at every school location throughout Trinidad and Tobago;
    • IP Security Surveillance System for all schools with centralised monitoring;
    • Education Content Delivery Management System;
  • Initiated the implementation of a Technology Refurbishment Centre.

 

Page 64-65, under “tertiary education”

“Key achievements of the MTEST [Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training] include:

  • Launched, in July 2012, the Trinidad and Tobago Research and Education Network
    (TTRENT), and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UWI, UTT and COSTAATT to establish guidelines for the TTRENT. This initiative will connect all
    post-secondary, tertiary level, research institutions and agencies of TEST and  various other stakeholders, locally and regionally. The National Research and
    Education Network (NREN) will also allow students and researchers to engage with
    international and regional e-learning content. It is also expected that this initiative
    will provide a national platform that will allow Trinidad and Tobago to link with regional and global networks in order to drive research and development in the service of economic activity and transformation;
  • Launched, in February 2013, the Caribbean Research and Education Network (C@
    ribNET), which offers local students, researchers, educators, professional
    and administrative staff of Tertiary Level Institutions (TLIs) access to research and
    education centres throughout the region in a variety of areas including science and
    technology, health, security and culture.  C@ribNET’s broadband, high-speed fibreoptic infrastructure connects over 26 million persons in at least 21 countries in the region;
  • Signed an MOU with Microsoft Trinidad and Tobago for the establishment of a local
    arm of Microsoft’s youth in education and entrepreneurship project, YouthSpark. Under the agreement, Microsoft will provide access to software solutions at State-operated academic institutions, as well as training for educators and students in the use of solutions. Microsoft will also provide support for other development programmes, such as DreamSpark, BizSpark and Imagine Cup, which will help young students and potential business creators gain access to technology to start a business;

Page 152, under Minstry of Gender, Youth and Child Development

“The following projects will be continued or implemented in fiscal year 2014.

1. RESPECT ME, RESPECT YOU

The Respect Me, Respect You initiative is a programme aimed at addressing various types
of bullying within the school, home, workplace and communities. Bullying via thorough the use of communication technology is also approved under this initiative. In the long term, the initiative projects the creation of a caring environment and reducing, if not preventing, bullying in its various forms is envisaged. The initiative includes a three pronged approach, which will continue into fiscal 2013-2014 and would involve a nationwide sensitivity and awareness campaign utilising multi-media approaches and
community outreach workshops.

Page 154, under “Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration”

“The following key initiatives will be undertaken in fiscal 2014:

…7. National Archives

  • Institutional Strengthening of the National Archives including an upgrade of the information technology hardware and software and training of staff;”